Manawatū District Water Supply Hardness
Hard water in Feilding: what is it, what you might notice and what you can do.
We’ve added a new water source - Roots Street Bore
Water from this bore is naturally higher in minerals which can make the water feel and behave differently within your home, known as hard water.
What’s good to know is that water hardness is primarily an aesthetic characteristic, where it impacts cleaning and scale build up in appliances rather than the safety of the drinking water.
Water naturally contains minerals including calcium, magnesium, sodium carbonate, silica, iron and manganese. ‘Hard water’ occurs when there are higher levels of calcium and magnesium. The table below shows how water hardness classes are determined.
| Classification | Total hardness (g CaCO3/m3) |
|---|---|
| Soft | 0 - 17 g/m3 |
| Slightly hard | 17 – 60 g/m3 |
| Moderately hard | 60 – 120 g/m3 |
| Hard | 120 – 180 g/m3 |
| Very hard | More than 180 g/m3 |
Feilding’s water supply can vary depending on which sources are being used as our drinking water is sourced from a mixture of groundwater bores and a surface water take (Oroua River). The newly constructed bore located in Roots Street West draws groundwater which naturally contains more minerals than our other water sources; therefore, the water may be harder than what many residents are used to.
The table below compares the hardness of each water supply within the Manawatū District.
| Water Supply | Water Source | Total Hardness (g CaCO3/m3) |
|---|---|---|
| Feilding | Oroua River | 43 g/m3 |
| Campbell Road Bore | 123 g/m3 | |
| Newbury Line Bore | 78 g/m3 | |
| Roots Street Bore | 144 g/m3 | |
| Halcombe-Stanway | Rangitikei River Bore | 160 g/m3 |
| Himatangi Beach | HImatangi Bore | 116 g/m3 |
| Ohakea & Sanson | Ohakea Bore | 140 g/m3 |
| Rongotea | Rongotea Bore | 111 g/m3 |
| Waituna West | Waituna Bore | 98 g/m3 |
Yes! Hard water at the above levels is perfectly safe to drink and can even be considered beneficial.
Hard water isn’t ‘bad’ water, just as soft water isn’t automatically ‘good’ water. In many cases it simply comes down to what you’re used to, with those accustomed to soft water finding hard water takes some time to get used to, and the reverse being true too.
No, the hardness can vary depending on the proportion of water coming from each water source at any given time. This is influenced by factors such as flows in the Oroua River. At present, water is being blended with supply from Almadale, but Council will be prioritising water sourced from the bores.
Hard water can show up in your home in the following ways:
- A build-up of minerals on domestic appliances and smooth surfaces in the form of ‘scale’ for example in kettles and hot water systems, or on shower doors and tapware
- Soaps don’t lather as easily, creating the need to use more
- Streaks or spots on glassware and dishes after washing, especially if your dishwasher isn’t set for hardness
- Laundry feels stiffer, towels feel less fluffy
- Shower head may become partially blocked if mineral deposits form
- Soap scum build up on shower walls and baths that feels more difficult to wipe off.
Bathroom
- Wipe or squeegee surfaces like shower glass dry after use to prevent mineral spots building up
- Use a descaling solution (or white vinegar) for taps and shower heads and soak by removing the heads and into a bowl or filling a bag with vinegar and tying this over the shower head/tap.
- Avoid the use of abrasive pads on shiny tapware, these can cause scratches making the scale stick more.
Kitchen
- Descale your jug regularly to avoid flakes or white build-up, rinsing well and boiling once with fresh water before use
- Keep dishwasher salt topped up if your machine uses it to prevent spotting and scale. Use a rinse aid to reduce spotting and improve drying.
Laundry
- You may need to increase detergent use slightly to achieve better cleaning results
- If you notice stiffness or dull whites, try adjusting detergent amount and consider an occasional descaling wash
- Avoid overloading the washing machine to allow clothes and towels to rinse properly
If you are experiencing ongoing issues from the effect of hard water a longer-term home solution is to install a water softener. This system can be installed for hot water alone or the whole house, it is best installed by a qualified plumber and will be at your cost.
It is important to note that some water softening systems exchange the minerals that cause hardness for sodium and therefore it is best to check what is the right fit for your household.